The relations between US and Turkey reached a fever pitch. Turkey's decision to purchase S-400 Russian missile system led to the anger of the US. The US threatened to suspend F-35 jet fighters to Turkey also.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin defended Turkey's multi-dimensional foreign policy. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Ibrahim Kalin dismissed comments aimed at Turkey's membership in NATO amid a row with the U.S. over the purchase of a Russian missile defense system, asserting that Turkey will continue to take steps that will strengthen its position in the transatlantic alliance.
"Turkey must choose. Does it want to remain a critical partner in the most successful military alliance in the history of the world, or does it want to risk the security of that partnership?" Pence said.
Kalin said it is not possible for Turkey to accept such statements, adding it is not a single country that will determine the status of a country in NATO but all NATO member countries.
"Besides, we are not an observer [country] there. We are one of the members. We are a country that has a say in all decisions," he said. "Therefore, we will not allow the questioning of Turkey's position in NATO."
In his remarks, he reiterated that Turkey's relationship with Russia was not an alternative to that of the U.S. or Europe.
He noted that it is quite normal for Turkey to develop various relationships in different areas in its foreign policy.
